“Survivor 44” Episode 1 Recap: 18 New Castaways Compete For $1 Million And The Title Of ‘Sole Survivor’

March 2, 2023

Cast from SURVIVOR Season 44. Pictured (L-R): Top Row: Lauren Harpe, Carson Garrett, Matthew Grinstead-Mayle, Claire Rafson, Danny Massa, Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, Bruce Perreault, Sarah Wade, and Brandon Cottom. Bottom Row: Jaime Lynn Ruiz, Kane Fritzler, Carolyn Wiger, Josh Wilder, Frannie Marin, Matt Blankinship, Maddy Pomilla, Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho, and Helen Li. Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2022 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

**SPOILER ALERT 🚨 DO NOT read if you have not watched Episode 1 of Survivor Season 44!**

Following Mike Gabler‘s shocking win in season 43, Survivor is back with its highly-anticipated 44th season!

The two-hour season premiere aired last night (March 1) on CBS and Paramount+, and the show’s beloved host Jeff Probst revealed, “It is a blockbuster in that we have never had one episode where so many things go down.”

After watching it LIVE last night at 8/7 CT, we can confirm that it is truly a must-see!

Before the premiere episode even aired, Survivor 44 already made history with the most LGBTQ+ contestants of any season: Carolyn Wiger, Claire Rafson, Frannie Marin, Josh Wilder, Matthew Grinstead-Mayle and Yam Yam Arocho.

Survivor 44 also made history as the first season to include a contestant residing in a US territory, with Yam Yam living in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the time of filming.

With even more advantages and crazy twists than ever before, as well as three medical emergencies in just one episode, it is clear that this season will continue to be monumental — We can’t wait to see what the rest of the episodes have in store!

Author

Melanie Rooten

Originally from Southern California and currently residing in Music City, Melanie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism before beginning her career as a music and entertainment journalist. Beginning to work for Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country as an intern in May of 2022, she has also contributed to Holler, Music Mayhem, Country Now, Country Chord, We Got This Covered and Decider throughout her career thus far. When she is not working, Melanie enjoys going to concerts and music festivals, binging her favorite television shows, spending time with her friends and family and cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners (of course).

View all posts

Melanie Rooten

Originally from Southern California and currently residing in Music City, Melanie graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism before beginning her career as a music and entertainment journalist. Beginning to work for Celeb Secrets…